Gale's glass half full following Yorkshire's defeat to Surrey

The visitors, who lead County Championship Division One, completed a comfortable seven wicket win on Thursday, reaching their second innings target of 228 with minimum fuss.

Yorkshire led by 75 after the first innings but were then skittled for 152 on day three.

“A bad hour in the third innings of the game has cost us,” said Gale.

“You go into the second innings with a 75-run lead, two blokes have got to put their hands up and get a couple of partnerships. If we’d set 300 plus, it’s a tough chase.

“They chased them down reasonably comfortably in the end, but it’s a different pressure when you’re chasing over 300.

“Surrey are a good team. That’s why they are top of the league. But we were in a position there to take the game away from them. A couple of partnerships and are 100-2, it’s likely to get to the stage where they’re waiting for a declaration.

“There’s only two results possible in the game then.

He added: “It’s still early days (in the campaign). We’re only at the halfway point. We’ve been inconsistent, we know that. But I don’t feel we’re a million miles away.

“We have some key players coming back, the next game is at Old Trafford - it will be big for us. Kane Williamson will be in for that, we’ll have Dave Willey back, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Matthew Fisher. This team will look slightly different.”

Surrey captain Rory Burns said: “To get the win having been behind at the halfway stage is very pleasing.

“I think it’s really pleasing to see our bowling unit bowl as a unit. They hunt as a pack, and different people are putting their hands up. That’s the most pleasing thing.

“(Title-winning side?) That’s for you guys to comment on. We’re just happy with how we’re going about our cricket. Hopefully we continue to do the business.

“The way we went about our run chase was really good. It helps when you get a solid start like me and Rocky did there (Stoneman). Then myself and Badger (Borthwick) got in a partnership and Ryan and him did the same thing. That bodes really well.

“Once again Ollie (Pope) has chipped in with more runs in the first innings. I think he’s showing maturity beyond his years at the minute. He’s playing some really good cricket. Hopefully he continues to do it.

“That’s our fifth win from seven games. That’s very pleasing.”